| Abstract: | The Youth Training Scheme presented British unions with a mix of opportunities and threats. Patterns of interest in and policy towards YTS among the 42 largest unions are studied for 1983–8. Most unions showed interest in YTS but they divided sharply on whether or not to oppose it. Statistical analysis indicates a role for both economic and political factors in determining differences between unions in interest and policy. Opposition proved most intense and widespread among unions that represented the lower-grade occupations in the public sector. Such unions were heavily affected by trainee-employee substitution and in addition were relatively well placed to enforce its exclusion. Left-wing political orientation was also associated with opposition to YTS, but at the level of principle rather than action. |
